States, especially in the western United States, have taken significant action to reduce the aquatic invasive species risk associated with the recreational boating pathway. In addition to enacting laws and regulations that prohibit the possession, transport, and release of aquatic invasive species, over a dozen states have developed extensive watercraft inspection and decontamination (WID) programs. WID programs seek to reduce the risk of aquatic invasive species spread through the mandatory inspection and decontamination of boats and equipment by trained personnel. The “Model Regulation for State Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Programs” outlines a model regulatory framework to implement a package of recommended approaches for state WID programs.
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Assessment of watercraft inspection and decontamination legislative provisions for the management of the trailered boat invasion pathway in the U.S. Great Lakes States
In the Great Lakes region, recreational boating presents a particularly significant management challenge for efforts aimed at limiting the spread and impacts of aquatic invasive species (AIS). The adoption of legislative policy with a regulatory component (including mandatory boat inspections) has been especially strong in western US. Here, we present a review of the current WID laws and regulations for all eight Great Lakes states to see how each state’s program compares to the recommended authorities set forth in the Model. Our review uses the framework developed by Sea Grant Law Center.